Jerry Zolten, local author and musician, is scheduled to appear at Joybeans for a book-signing and reading tonight from 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Zolten’s current book, Great God A’Mighty! The Dixie Hummingbirds: Celebrating the Rise of Soul Gospel Music, will be featured at the book signing.
From the Jim Crow world of 1920s Greenville, South Carolina, to Greenwich Village’s Cafe Society in the ‘40s to their 1973 Grammy-winning collaboration on “Loves Me Like a Rock,” the Dixie Hummingbirds have been one of gospel’s most durable and inspiring groups.
Zolten’s 364-page book, which was published by Oxford University Press, details the rise of the famous gospel group from its roots in the 1940s to its 1973 Grammy-winning work.
While at Joybeans, Zolten will choose some readings from his book to share with the audience as well as do book signings.
He will also perform some songs on the guitar.
In addition to his extensive writing career, which includes books about public speaking as well as about gospel music, Zolten also teaches an American Studies course at Penn State, Altoona.
Besides being a local author and musician, Zolten is also the producer of two critically acclaimed CDs: Wreckin’ the House by the Fairfield Four and Beautiful Stars by Isaac Freeman and the Bluebloods.
